Track Opens Well at Jay Carisella Invitational

BOSTON, MA-The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's track and field team turned in a strong performance in their season opener, the Jay Carisella Track and Field Invitational, hosted by Northeastern at the Reggie Lewis Center Saturday. No team scores were recorded at the meet.

For the women, sophomore Jillian Van Ness (Agawam, MA/Agawam HS) turned in a time of 7.43 seconds in the 55 meter trials, the second best time ever at UMD, before coming back in 7.51 seconds in the finals, placing sixth and qualifying for both the New England Division III Championships and the ECAC Championships. She also qualified for the NE D3 Championships when she ran 200 meters in 27 seconds. In the mile, junior Meaghan Bohigian (Barre, MA/Quabbin Regional HS) was sixth in 5:15.70, the third best mark at UMD, which qualified her for the NE D3 meet. Freshman Katie Sheehan (Scituate, MA/Scituate HS) was fourth at 1000 meters in 3:05.13, the second best mark at UMD, which qualified her for the New England D III and ECAC meets. .Junior Courtney Testa (Hopkinton, MA/Hopkinton HS) also qualified for both meets when she finished sixth at 3000 meters in 10:44.64.

In the triple jump, freshman Ezra Banks (Boston, MA/Newton South HS) was third with a jump of 34 feet, 10 ½ inches, and ran 55 meters in 7.64 second, qualifying for the New England Division III meet in both events. Junior Brittany Cole (Dartmouth, MA/Dartmouth HS) was ninth in the weight throw at 40 feet, six inches, the fourth best mark ever at UMD. Freshman Bailey Burke's (South Yarmouth, MA/Dennis-Yarmouth HS) weight throw mark of 34-6 was the eighth best at UMass Dartmouth, senior Brittney Carbone (Woburn, MA/Woburn HS) ran 1000 meters in 3:16.00, also the eighth best mark at UMD, and freshman Lauren Roche (Norfolk, MA/King Phillip Regional HS) finished seventh in the long jump at 15 feet, 10 ½ inches, the 10th best mark at UMD.

The men placed three runners in the finals of the 55 meter dash, with a fourth just missing. Freshman Phito Gondre (New Bedford, MA/New Bedford HS) was third in the finals (6.57 seconds) after tying the school record when he ran 6.55 in the trials. He qualified for the ECAC Championships, the Division III New Englands and the Open New England Championships. Freshman Francois Cherduville (Brockton, MA/Brockton HS) was fifth (6.68) in the finals after running 6/62 in the trials, and senior Hymlaire Lamisere (Newton, MA/Newton North HS/Iona) was eighth (6.75) after running 6.69 in the trials, and both qualified for the New England Division III meet.

Gondre was also second at 200 meters in 22.81 seconds, the second fastest time at UMD, which also qualified him for the New England D3 Championships. He also finished eighth in the long jump at 20 feet, six inches.

Sophomore Chris Perry (Providence, RI/Dighton-Rehoboth HS/Bristol CC), who just missed the finals in the 55 meter dash at 6.70 seconds, came from behind to win the triple jump on his last attempt, jumping 48 feet, 1 ¼ inches in the last event of the meet. Freshman Aaron Amado (Randolph, MA/Thayer Academy) was sixth at 45-8 ¾, the fourth best mark at UMD. Both qualified for the ECAC Championships, New England D3 Championships and Open New Englands. Freshman Adam Jones (Amesbury, MA/Triton Regional HS) was ninth at 43-11 ¾ and high jumped 6-2, and qualified for the New England D3 Championships in both.

Senior Robert Yarbough (Fall River, MA/Durfee HS) was fifth in the weight throw at 52-8 ¼ and qualified for the ECACs, Open New Englands and ECAC Division III Championships. Sophomore Kyle Costa (Somerset, MA/Somerset HS/Vermont) was sixth at 500 meters in 1:06.84 and qualified for both the ECACs and New England Division III meet. Sophomore Scott Connolly (Sharon, MA/Sharon HS) was third at 800 meters in 1:58.80 with the sixth best mark at UMD, while sophomore Matt Hinthorne (Braintree, MA/Braintree HS) was ninth at 500 meters in 1:07.38, and both qualified for the New England Division III Championships.

"Both teams did very well, and I was pleased," said UMass Dartmouth Head Coach Steve Gardiner. "This is the best opening meet our women have had in the four years I've been here, and the guys were very impressive, with a lot of outstanding performances. We are looking forward to next week."